Does Your Old Tattoo Need a Cover Up or Laser Removal?

A practical guide for anyone in St Louis deciding what to do with ink that no longer fits

Looking for a cover up artist in St. Louis? Scroll to the bottom of the page to see Alchemy’s cover up artists.

You loved the tattoo once. Now it feels like a reminder of a version of you that lived a few chapters back. Some pieces fade in strange ways. Some carry memories you’d rather outgrow. Some never felt right in the first place.

The question almost always shows up the same way: should you cover it or should you start fresh with laser?

This guide breaks down what each route offers, how they work, and how to choose the path that fits your skin, your budget, and the next version of your story.

Ink You’ve Outgrown

Tattoo regret doesn’t always arrive overnight. For some people it creeps in slowly. Maybe you catch the tattoo in the mirror and feel a small pinch of annoyance. Maybe you avoid showing it in photos. Maybe the linework aged faster than you expected.

Regret is more common than most people admit. Many adults report wishing they could change or update at least one tattoo. Growth makes certain images feel out of place, and that feeling is normal.

The Cover Up Route

A cover up builds something new over what already exists. The old ink becomes the foundation for a new design.

What it works best for:
• faded tattoos
• old flash
• names
• simple shapes
• areas with lighter saturation

What it requires
• a design that uses darker or more complex elements
• trusting the artist to use contrast and layering
• being open to a piece that may need to be larger

What to expect

You walk out with a new tattoo instead of a blank canvas. This approach works well if you want transformation rather than erasure. In St Louis studios, cover ups are common for older trends like feather silhouettes, script names, or wrist symbols from the early 2010s.

Some pieces need lightening first. Dense blackwork, saturated color blocks, and certain rib or shoulder placements often benefit from a few laser sessions before the cover up design is possible.

By G Jones

Cover up by St. Louis artist G Jones

By Ben Graham

Cover up work by St. Louis tattoo artist Ben Graham

By Lacey Donovan

Cover up tattoo by St. Louis tattoo artist Lacey Donovan

By CJ Oliver

Cover up tattoo by St. Louis artist CJ Oliver

By Heidi Williams

Cover up tattoo by St. Louis tattoo artist, Heidi Williams

Laser Removal

Laser offers a clean slate, but it takes time.

Laser Tattoo Removal

What it works best for
• tattoos you want softened before a cover up
• multicolor designs
• older tattoos that have already faded
• clients who want full removal when possible

What it requires
• multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart
• patience
• an honest budget plan

What to expect
Laser can fade a tattoo enough for a high quality cover up or, in some cases, clear it to the point where it is barely visible. Some pigment colors respond faster. Others, like certain blues and greens, can take longer.
People describe the sensation as sharp, quick bursts of heat. Treatments are short, but the process spans months.

Choosing the Better Route

There is no single right answer. Your skin, your healing patterns, your budget, and your long-term goals matter.

Factors to consider

• your skin tone and how it scars
• the density of the existing tattoo
• how large you want the new piece to be
• whether you prefer transformation or a reset
• how soon you want to move forward

St Louis artists often blend both approaches. A few laser sessions create space for more delicate styles like fine line, realistic florals, or detailed black and grey. Straight cover ups work better for bolder, darker designs.

If you choose cover up work, finding an artist comfortable with reworking older ink is key. If laser is your direction, choosing a reputable clinic with experience in treating different skin tones is just as important.

Moving Forward
Your tattoos tell your story, including the chapters you’ve outgrown. Regret does not mean you failed. It means you changed. Whether you choose a cover up or start fresh with laser, both paths give you room to grow in a direction that fits who you are now. Scheduling a free consultation can help you decide which direction works best for you.

Alchemy’s CoverUp Artists

These Alchemy artists enjoy the challenge of a cover up tattoo.

Have you ever changed your mind about an old tattoo?
Did you choose a cover up or laser, and what made the decision easier?
What advice would you give someone considering their first cover up?

Curated Piercings: How Do You Go From Mismatched Studs To A Cohesive Ear?

Your ear can look like a clearance rack or a tiny gallery; curated piercings decide which.

If your piercings feel like they were chosen one bored Saturday at a mall kiosk, you are not alone.

Curated piercings grew out of that exact feeling. A curated ear is a planned “earscape” that fits your anatomy, your lifestyle, and your style, instead of a random scatter of holes that fight your headphones and your hair. Recent fashion coverage even treats ear piercing as a personalized design project, with piercers helping clients build balanced constellations instead of single pieces.

Ear curation 101:

Curated piercings look effortless, almost like they happened by accident. The secret is that nothing about them is accidental.

A good piercer starts with three simple questions:

• What does your ear give you to work with?

• How do you move through a normal week?

• Which pieces do you want people to notice first?

Think of it like building a playlist. If you shuffle every genre and skip halfway through each song, the night feels scattered. When you group songs with intention, the same tracks feel smoother and more exciting.

For ears, that means:

• Matching placements to your anatomy instead of forcing trends that do not fit

• Balancing one “hero” piece with quieter supporting jewelry

• Leaving space for future piercings instead of filling every open patch in hour one

Many modern piercers talk about “earscapes” for this reason. They look at your ear from lobe to helix and treat it like one small landscape with foreground, midground, and background pieces.

If you have ever felt like your ear went from minimal to “busy” overnight, this is the reset button.

The design session: Curating for real life, not only for selfies

Curated piercings are still body modification, not only jewelry styling. That means health, healing, and comfort come first.

A thoughtful piercer will usually:

• Map your existing holes and check for scars or bumps

• Ask about metal allergies, migraines, sports, headsets, and sleep position

• Suggest placements that heal at different speeds, so you are not healing every cartilage spot at once

Many people have some level of nickel sensitivity; estimates in North America often sit around 17 to 18 percent across the population. That is one reason professional groups recommend implant-grade titanium or verified high-quality gold for fresh piercings instead of cheap mystery metal.

Here is where curated piercings get practical:

• If you sleep on your right side, your left ear may be the better place for new cartilage work

• If you wear over-ear headphones in the studio or on the MetroLink, an industrial bar or snug might rub constantly

• If you do medical work or child care, lower-profile jewelry can keep tiny fingers and face masks from catching

Your ear should work for your life; your life should not revolve around babying your ear.

Pain, healing, and the part nobody puts on Instagram

The curated photos get all the likes. The healing period gets all the swear words.

Fresh ear piercings are small wounds. Earlobe piercings often heal within about six to eight weeks, as long as you keep them clean and leave the starter jewelry in place. Cartilage is slower. Many sources place cartilage healing anywhere between three months and a full year, depending on the exact spot and your personal health.

That means a curated ear plan often staggers piercings over time. You might start with:

• A couple of lobe or upper-lobe piercings that heal on the quicker side

• One cartilage piece in a spot that fits your anatomy and sleep habits

Then you wait. You clean with sterile saline, keep your hands off the jewelry, and avoid spinning the posts, since rotating jewelry can irritate the channel and slow healing.

Cartilage piercings feel edgy in photos, yet they carry more risk. Cartilage has less blood supply, so infections travel harder and heal slower than in soft lobe tissue. Swelling, throbbing pain, spreading redness, thick yellow or green discharge, or fever can signal infection and need medical care.

Building your own plan: From Pinterest board to real ear

Planning a curated ear can feel like planning a tattoo sleeve. The board comes first, the body comes second, then reality sits in the middle.

Here is a simple way to bring some structure without turning it into homework:

Ear curation mock up by Ella Morgan

Step 1: Name your focal point
Choose one area you want people to look at first when they see your ear. It could be:

• A bold charm in the lower lobe

• A snug cluster of three tiny stones

• A single, clean conch ring

Step 2: Decide your “volume” level
Use jewelry shape and size to set loud and quiet zones. Think of it like arranging plants on a shelf: one tall showpiece, several medium anchors, and a few small accents to fill space.

Step 3: Sketch or screenshot
Print a blank ear outline or snap a side photo in good light. Draw small dots where you already have piercings. Sketch possible new placements with different colors for “sooner” and “later.” The point is not perfect art; the point is visual clarity.

Step 4: Reality check with a piercer
Bring your scribbles to a reputable piercing studio. Make sure they use needles, have clear sterilization practices, and can talk through jewelry materials and healing in plain language. Our piercer can take your sketches or ideas and make a mockup using photos of your ears.

What curated piercings are really about

Curated piercings look like fashion, yet they feel like authorship.

A random set of piercings reacts to your impulses. A curated ear responds to your values. If you care about comfort, you prioritize low-profile pieces where your headphones sit. If you care about ritual, you might reserve new cartilage piercings for milestones and let each one stand for a story, not a trend.

Some people in St. Louis plan pieces around life chapters: a helix for a graduation, a conch ring after leaving a job, a tiny gemstone for a friend who moved away. Other people keep it lighter and treat their ear like a rotating gallery wall, changing jewelry with the seasons once everything has healed. Fashion writing on ear stacks echoes this idea, describing “constellation” layouts that mirror the wearer’s personality more than any single earring ever could.

Curated piercings ask for patience, planning, and honest conversations with your own body. Lobe and cartilage tissue need time, saline care, and good materials. Trends can help you imagine the look, yet your anatomy and health decide the final map.

I would love to hear from you:

• Have you had a curated ear session before?

• Did your plan change once healing started?

Share your experiences, questions, and even your ear sketches. Your comments will help other people feel less alone as they move from “random holes” to a calm, thoughtful ear story that actually fits their life.

Sources

American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). Nickel allergy: How to avoid exposure and reduce symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/insider/nickel-allergy

Association of Professional Piercers. (n.d.). Jewelry for initial piercings. SafePiercing.org. Retrieved from https://safepiercing.org/jewelry-for-initial-piercings

Association of Professional Piercers. (n.d.). Suggested aftercare for body piercings. SafePiercing.org. Retrieved from https://safepiercing.org/aftercare

Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Infected ear piercing. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21503-infected-ear-piercing

Healthline. (2023, February 15). Ear piercing infection: Causes, symptoms, treatment. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-treat-an-infected-ear-piercing

Labret. (2025). Healing timelines for different ear piercings. Retrieved from https://www.labret.co/blogs/guides/healing-timelines-for-different-ear-piercings

Tattoo Etiquette 101: What Your Artist Wishes You Knew

Studio manners that make tattoo sessions smoother for everyone

You want great art and the best tattoo experience to go with it. Follow a few simple habits for a smooth session without the awkward.

Before your session: Getting the right design for your budget

The money talk

Consultation: This is the time to discuss expectations and communicate your design vision. Bring reference photos if you have them and be open to your artist’s creative suggestions.

Tipping: Tattoo pricing varies by design and time. Tipping in U.S. service settings is common. Many clients choose about 15%–25% based on outcome and care received. Tips are kind, never required. Reviews help, too.

Budget: Let us know your budget before we design. It helps us scale the tattoo to the right size and price range. You can read more about pricing here.

Reschedules and no-shows: Life happens. Tell us early so we can fill the seat. Be sure to read our deposit policy and discuss your artist’s individual terms as well.

Tattoo Day: prep and session tips

When you get here

• Arrive on Time: Not too early, not too late. Right on time is perfect.

• Comfort Items: We don’t mind if you bring your favorite blanket, stuffed animal, or pillow. Many people do. Whatever helps you feel comfortable and at home.

• Pain Management: Different artists have different preferences. Generally, taking advil before your appointment is okay. Topical numbing agents are okay with some artist, while others feel it hinders the tattoo process. Keeping your body calm and focusing on your breathing are important aspects to handling the sting.

• Design reveal: We don’t send designs in advance. It creates unnecessary anxiety, disrupts our workflow, and risks our intellectual property. Changes can be made at your appointment when we can adjust together.

when we start

• Stencil placement: Ask us to move it if it doesn’t feel right. Placement matters for your comfort and your life. We’re not attached to the first try. Just let us know before it dries, that stuff really sticks.

• Phones: Keep your phone silent. Headphones are fine, but calls and excessive chatting can distract your artist. Let us know if you prefer to sit quietly or would like more conversation; we can adjust!

• Movement: Tell us before you stretch, sneeze, or grab a sip. We’ll pause the machine. Are you an animated talker who gestures with your hands? You’re not alone, but during the outline, we may need you to stay still.

• Snacks: Okay for breaks in the waiting area but not in the sterile tattoo space.

• Feedback: Let us know if you need a break or anything to make your session more comfortable. We try to be mindful, but we’re also focused on the work. Restroom breaks, pillows, or a stretch are all reasonable.

• Guests: One calm friend is plenty. Floor space and cross-contamination risks are real. A crowd can also be very distracting to the client and the artist.

• Bandage: Let us cover the tattoo and explain aftercare. Touching the fresh tattoo with bare hands defeats the purpose of the wrap.

Great tattoos are a duet. You bring respect and clear communication. We bring design, sterile setup, and steady hands.

This is studio guidance, not medical advice. Ask your artist or a clinician when in doubt.

How Long Do Tattoos Take to Heal A Week-by-Week Healing Guide

From raw canvas to healed masterpiece, your skin tells a story long after the needle stops

Your tattoo is done, but it’s not finished.

That’s the part most people miss. What happens over the next few weeks can make or break how your tattoo looks for life. Your skin's healing journey is part waiting game and part collaboration.

Flaking, itching, oozing, fading: you’ve heard the horror stories. But with the right expectations and care, you can sidestep nearly all of them.

Your skin just got a job and it’s on the clock

Day 1: You leave the shop bandaged and buzzing. Your skin has one job now: repair. Most artists recommend removing your bandage within 3–4 hours using clean, washed hands and washing the tattoo with soap and water. However, re-bandaging before sleep or when wearing tight clothing helps protect the tattoo during that first vulnerable 24 hours. If you’re using a second-skin bandage like Saniderm, leave it on up to 24 hours—or as advised by your artist—unless it leaks, loosens, or irritates the skin.

Plasma and moisture retained under a clean wrap help promote faster epithelialization (the growth of new skin over your tattoo) by keeping the it moist and protected (Winter, 1962; Vowden & Vowden, 2004).

A small amount of fluid buildup is normal and platelet-derived growth factors in the plasma play a significant role in regulating tissue regeneration during the early phases of wound healing (Sogorski et al., 2024).

By day 2, you should:

• Remove the bandage

• Gently wash the tattoo with fragrance-free soap 2–4 times per day

• Pat or air dry

• Apply a thin layer of unscented lotion when the tattoo starts to feel dry or tight

Avoid over-washing or over-moisturizing, which can delay healing.

Healing isn’t passive repair; it’s active preservation.

Week one: Peeling, itching, and sometimes mild panic.
By day 4, your tattoo may start to itch and flake. This is normal. Your body is shedding dead skin and forming a new surface layer.

Avoid:

• Scratching or picking

• Tight or rough fabrics

• Submerging in water (no baths, hot tubs, or swimming)

Do:

• Wear loose clothing

• Moisturize when dry (but skip petroleum-based ointments or fragrances)

• Let it breathe

If it looks like a sunburned lizard, great, you're right on track.

The ugly duckling phase
Between days 5 and 14, your tattoo may appear dull or cloudy. This is due to the thin new layer of healing skin. Colors will return as that layer fully develops.

Don’t panic-text your artist. Just continue basic care:

• Moisturize lightly

• Avoid direct sun

• Stay gentle.

Week three to four: Almost there.
Your tattoo will likely look healed from the outside, but deeper layers of skin are still settling. Full healing can take up to two months.

At this point:

• Keep using sunscreen

• Avoid exfoliation or aggressive skincare

• Monitor for any signs of irritation

Light exercise is fine during healing, but avoid activities that cause excessive sweating or friction during the first few days.

Your tattoo is healed enough to admire, but not enough to ignore.

When to check in with your artist or doctor:

• Spreading redness after day 3

• Pus or foul odor

• Fever

• Sharp or worsening pain

• Rash or allergic response near the bandage edge (common with adhesive allergies)

• Painful pimple-like bumps in or around the tattoo

Most healing issues result from touching with dirty hands, overwashing, or friction from tight clothing. Imbalances in bacterial load, especially in the early phase, are a common cause of wound infection and can compromise healing (Robson, 2003). Keeping the area clean and protected remains the best prevention strategy (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).

Have a tip or healing story? Share it. Your experience might help someone else.

Sources:

1. Sogorski, A., et al. (2024). The use of platelet-rich plasma to support wound healing in plastic surgery. European Journal of Plastic Surgery. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00238-025-02305-6

2. Robson, M. C. (2003). Wound infection: A failure of wound healing caused by an imbalance of bacteria. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 30(1), 27–36. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15115218/

3. Winter, G. D. (1962). Formation of the scab and the rate of epithelialization of superficial wounds in the skin of the young domestic pig. Nature, 193(4812), 293–294. https://doi.org/10.1038/193293a0

4. Vowden, K., & Vowden, P. (2004). The role of exudate in wound healing: Understanding exudate management. Retrieved from https://www.worldwidewounds.com/2004/february/Vowden/Exudate-Management.html

5. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2019). Infection control. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/about/index.html
   

   Disclaimer:
   This is not medical advice. Your skin is an ecosystem. If it acts weird, ask someone qualified with a stethoscope.

Spooky Tattoo Party in St. Louis – Celebrate 10 Years of Alchemy Tattoo Collective

Spooky Tattoo Party in St. Louis – Sunday, October 12, 2025

This October, Alchemy Tattoo Collective is celebrating 10 years in the Central West End with a one-day event you won’t want to miss. On Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 11am to 6pm, we’re hosting our Spooky Tattoo Party—a mix of tattoos, piercings, and Halloween fun in the heart of St. Louis.

Flash Tattoos and Piercing Specials

For one day only, our artists will be offering:

• Spooky Flash sale tattoos designed exclusively for the event

• $10 OFF ALL PIERCINGS to celebrate 10 years

• Live tarot readings to give you the chills

Get on the Priority List

Be the first in line! You’ll still need to arrive early and check in, but this puts your name on the list so you can be called before walk-ins. (We can't guarantee we will get to all clients, but we will offer perks to those who sign up)

If you’ve been planning your next tattoo or you’re ready to add a new piercing, this is your chance to get something special at St. Louis’ trusted tattoo shop.

Spooky Flash Preview

Celebrate 10 Years of Tattoos at our shop

Alchemy Tattoo Collective has been part of the St. Louis tattoo community for a decade. We’re proud to provide a safe, welcoming environment for tattoos and piercings, with artists who specialize in a wide range of styles—from fine line and realism to traditional and watercolor.

This party is our way of saying thank you to the clients and community that made 10 years possible.

• Exclusive tattoo discounts and designs you won’t find any other time

• Affordable piercing specials

Bring your friends, and come celebrate with us.

Plan Your Visit

Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
Time: 11am – 6pm
Location: Central West End, St. Louis

Join us

If you’re searching for tattoo flash in St. Louis, a safe place for piercing specials near me, or just want to celebrate Halloween in style, join us for the Spooky Tattoo Party.

Book your spot now, or stop by on October 12 to get tattooed, pierced, and part of the celebration.

Event pricing and designs are not guaranteed outside of the event day, but let your artist know your budget and your ideas and we will find the perfect fit for you!

Piercing Aftercare Made Simple: A 7-Day Healing Timeline for a Trouble-Free Recovery

From the first saline rinse to the moment you forget it’s even there; your first week matters most.

You’ve got the piercing. You’ve got the jewelry. Now you’ve got a choice: spend the next few months enjoying it or fighting it. The difference? The first week. These first seven days are your piercing’s audition for a lifetime role in your personal style. If you haven’t booked yet, check out our piercing services to see what’s possible.

Piercings heal slowly, but the habits you build immediately after getting one determine whether you breeze through healing or develop the kind of swelling that makes you name your ear lobe “Gary” (Association of Professional Piercers [APP], 2023).

Day 1: Protect, Don’t Poke

Your piercing is fresh real estate; look, but don’t touch.

• Clean twice a day with sterile saline solution (or your piercer’s recommended aftercare spray).

• Wash your hands first. Always.

• Resist the urge to twist or turn your jewelry, it’s not a wind-up toy.

• Avoid sleeping on it if possible; your pillow is a bacteria sponge in disguise.

Don’t make your piercing adjust to your routine; adjust your routine to your piercing.

Day 2–3: Embrace the Tender Phase

These are the “why did I do this?” days.

• Expect swelling, redness, or a dull ache, your body is sending extra resources to heal (Singh et al., 2021).

• Keep cleaning twice daily.

• No hair products, makeup, or skincare near the site.

• If you bump it, don’t panic. It’s an ear, not a Jenga tower.

Day 4–5: Keep Irritants Away

Your piercing may feel more settled, but it’s like a cat that stops hissing, it might still swat.

• No swimming in pools, lakes, or hot tubs.

• Keep hats, headphones, and tight collars away.

• If crust forms, soak with warm saline and gently remove with sterile gauze.

Day 6–7: Build Your Routine

Healing is a long game, but these first days set the foundation.

• Continue daily cleanings.

• Watch for warning signs: spreading redness, yellow/green discharge, or increasing pain (Mayo Clinic, 2022).

• Celebrate small wins: less swelling, easier sleep, no accidental snags.

The Bigger Picture

Most piercings take weeks or months to fully heal (Gorensek et al., 2019). But how you treat them in the first week determines whether healing feels effortless or exhausting. Follow the plan, and you may skip the “why won’t this heal?” phase entirely.

Care for your piercing as you would a friendship; patience now brings reward later, and reward later comes from patience now.

Your piercer may recommend a sterile saline spray or a specific aftercare product. Stick to professional-grade solutions and avoid DIY shortcuts; sea salt in tap water is great for pasta, not piercings. See all our piercing options here.

Thinking about your next piercing or upgrading your jewelry? Book your piercing with our professional piercer in St. Louis and start your healing journey with the right habits from day one.

Every piercing has a story, share yours in the comments. Whether it’s a perfect heal or a lesson learned, your experience might help someone else through their first week.

References

Association of Professional Piercers. (2023). Aftercare. Retrieved from https://safepiercing.org/aftercare/

Meltzer DI. Complications of body piercing. Am Fam Physician. 2005 Nov 15;72(10):2029-34. PMID: 16342832.

Mayo Clinic. (2022). Body piercing: Care and safety. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/body-piercing/art-20047317

Koenig LM, Carnes M. Body piercing medical concerns with cutting-edge fashion. J Gen Intern Med. 1999 Jun;14(6):379-85. doi: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.1999.00357.x. PMID: 10354260; PMCID: PMC1496593.

Can You Go to the Gym After Getting Tattooed?

Your skin’s healing isn’t a workout trend, skip the sweat to protect the art.

You just spent good money on your tattoo. Now your gym bag is calling your name. Before you reach for the protein shake, here’s a reality check: your skin is injured, your ink is fresh, and your gym is basically a bacteria playground.

Fresh tattoos are open wounds. The gym? A petri dish of sweat, germs, and shared surfaces. That’s not a match—it’s a microbial mosh pit.

Sweat, Germs, and Healing Skin Don’t Mix

Your skin needs rest, not reps.

Sweat adds moisture and salt, both of which can irritate healing skin and slow the repair process. Gyms compound the problem with shared equipment and close contact. MRSA, staph, and other infections thrive in that environment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020).

If bacteria find their way into your healing tattoo, you risk:

• Redness, swelling, or infection

• Ink fading or loss

• Excessive scabbing

• Scar tissue

• More money spent on touch-ups

Sweat builds muscle, but it’s detrimental for your tattoo healing.

Movement and Muscle Strain Can Warp Your Tattoo

Tattoos don’t just sit on the surface. They're embedded in the dermis, and when muscles stretch or swell beneath that skin, the freshly healed skin can easily sustain damage resulting in you tattoo getting damaged as well.

High-risk zones include:

• Elbows and knees (repetitive bending)

• Ribs and torso (twisting and stretching)

• Shoulders and biceps (flexion during workouts)

• Hands and wrists (gripping weights)

How Long Should You Wait? Depends on the Tattoo

The healing timeline isn’t universal. It depends on size, placement, skin type, and how well you care for it. Here’s a rough guide:

• Small tattoos: 2–3 days

• Medium pieces: 5–7 days

• Large or color-saturated: 10–14 days

• Tattoos over joints or movement-heavy areas: up to 3 weeks

Wait until your skin stops weeping, flaking is minimal, and the tattoo no longer feels tender. If your shirt still sticks to it, you’re not ready for burpees.

Your artist knows best, follow their specific advice.

Exceptions, Hacks, and Real-Life Advice

Let’s be real. Some of you aren’t skipping the gym. If you absolutely must move your body:

• Stick to low-impact movement (walking, gentle yoga)

• Avoid sweating the tattooed area

• Don’t wear tight clothing over it

• Clean it thoroughly afterward

• Don’t lie on gym mats or shared benches

Skip:

• Hot yoga

• Sauna or steam rooms

• Swimming pools, lakes, oceans

• Martial arts or close-contact workouts

• Anything involving compression over the tattoo

You wouldn’t peel off paint mid-dry and expect a masterpiece. Healing tattoos deserve the same patience.

You Don’t Build Muscle by Rushing It, And You Don’t Heal Tattoos That Way Either

Fitness is about discipline. So is healing. Taking a few days off won’t ruin your progress, but going back too soon might ruin your tattoo.

If you rush the healing, you slow the results. If you respect the timing, the tattoo will have the best chance for a good heal.

Recap

• Passage of 48 hours is necessary but not sufficient for some tattoos.

• Two to four weeks of care may be essential depending on size, placement, and movement area.

• Surface healing ≠ full healing—deeper skin layers remain delicate for months.

Join the Conversation

Have you ever risked a workout too soon after a tattoo? What happened?

Got healing tips or gym hacks that worked for you? Drop them in the comments. Your story might save someone else's sleeve.

Short disclaimer
This post is for informational purposes only. Always follow your tattoo artist’s specific aftercare instructions.

Sources

• American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2021). Tattoo care: How to minimize risks. https://www.aad.org

• Byrdie. (2022). Can you work out after getting a tattoo? Here's what to know. https://www.byrdie.com/workout-after-tattoo-5079390

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). MRSA and the gym: Stop the spread. https://www.cdc.gov

• Cleveland Clinic. (2020). Tattoo aftercare: Dos and don'ts. https://my.clevelandclinic.org

• Healthline. (2021). When can I work out after getting a tattoo? https://www.healthline.com

• Mayo Clinic. (2023). Tattoo safety: Precautions and care. https://www.mayoclinic.org

Can You Get Tattooed While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

—Navigating body autonomy, safety myths, and motherhood's inked edge

Your body’s growing life, can it handle new ink?

Getting a tattoo while pregnant or breastfeeding isn't a beauty decision, it’s a medical one. But is the fear justified, or is it all hearsay?

You're balancing cravings, exhaustion, and a to-do list that includes choosing a car seat, not ink color. And yet, as you pass the mirror, that old plan for a motherhood tattoo whispers back. Can you get tattooed while pregnant? What about while breastfeeding? Google will serve you every horror story imaginable, most unverified. Meanwhile, your autonomy doesn’t feel like your own. Let’s unpack fact from fiction, so you can make empowered choices based on you, not outdated taboos.

Pregnancy, But Make It Sterile

Medical professionals don’t officially ban tattoos during pregnancy, but they don’t exactly greenlight them either. That’s because there’s limited research, not necessarily red flags (American Pregnancy Association, n.d.). The real concern? Infection. If a studio isn’t sterile or if aftercare is neglected, the risk of bloodborne pathogens like hepatitis B or C rises (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.).

That said, a reputable tattoo shop uses single-use needles, gloves, and hospital-grade disinfectants. And a responsible artist will likely ask you to return post-pregnancy, not to offend, but to protect. No one wants to gamble with the “what-ifs” when there’s more than one life at stake.

The Milk Doesn’t Magically Ink Itself

Breastfeeding brings its own fears; can tattoo ink transfer through breastmilk? The short answer: no. The ink stays in your skin. While small traces of compounds from tattoo ink may enter the bloodstream, they don’t enter breastmilk in clinically significant ways (Verywell Family, 2023).

Still, your body’s healing is different while lactating. Lower sleep, higher hormones, and fluctuating immunity can delay recovery (La Leche League International, 2023). Plus, there's always a small risk of infection or needing antibiotics that aren’t breastfeeding-safe. Translation: your decision is about recovery readiness.

Can You Trust Your Artist—And Your Timing?

If you’re determined to get tattooed while breastfeeding or pregnant, timing is everything. In the first trimester, most artists will (and should) decline; it’s when fetal development is most sensitive. The third trimester? Awkward positioning, swelling, and circulation concerns can make sessions harder.

Breastfeeding? Best to wait at least 6 weeks postpartum so your body stabilizes, your sleep is semi-reliable (or at least predictably chaotic), and you can monitor for healing issues. Ultimately, it’s not “can you get tattooed”- it’s should you get tattooed right now?

If you're in your third trimester and thinking of getting tattooed, you’re already lying on your side to sleep, you don’t need to lie in a tattoo chair too.

Regret Is Temporary—But Infection Is Forever

Yes, that motherhood tattoo idea might feel urgent. Maybe it’s the birth flower of your firstborn. Maybe it’s closure from loss. But tattoos last forever. Healing complications, however, can last longer than you'd think if your immune system isn’t at full power.

It’s okay to wait. It’s also okay to get the tattoo if you’re healthy, your artist agrees, and you’ve triple-checked the hygiene practices. Don’t rush the ritual. Remember:

Better to wait in wholeness than ink in haste.

Tattoo while pregnant is a timing issue.

Your body is already a masterpiece, it’s building life or sustaining it. Tattoos can honor that, but they aren’t required to prove it. There’s no expiration date on commemorating motherhood. And here’s the twist: when you prioritize safety and timing, the tattoo often becomes more meaningful, because it’s not reactive, it’s intentional.

We protect what we create, not by avoiding risk, but by respecting readiness.
And sometimes, the most empowering “yes” is a thoughtful “not yet.”

So, can you get tattooed while pregnant or breastfeeding? Technically, yes, sometimes. Medically, caution is wise. Emotionally, only you know what’s best. But know this: choosing to wait doesn’t make you less bold. It makes you brave in a different way.

Have you gotten a tattoo while nursing or pregnant? What did you consider before making your decision?
💬 We’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below to share your thoughts, questions, or experience.
📲 Know someone who’s considering a tattoo during this time? Send this their way.

Sources

• American Pregnancy Association. (n.d.). Tattoos during pregnancy. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/tattoos

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Hepatitis C – Prevention. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis-c/prevention

• Verywell Family. (2023). Can you get a tattoo while pregnant? Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/can-you-get-a-tattoo-while-pregnant-7505740

• La Leche League International. (2023). Postpartum recovery and breastfeeding. Retrieved August 12, 2025, from https://llli.org/breastfeeding-info/tattoos-and-breastfeeding/

• Høgsberg, T. et al. (2013). Black tattoo inks induce reactive oxygen species and DNA damage in human cells. Experimental Dermatology, 22(5), 386–391. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800057